Mael Corboz will lead Arminia Bielefeld as captain in the DFB Cup final against VfB Stuttgart. The versatile talented American is fully convinced of the chances of victory of the third division club.
The fun at his expense is nothing new for Bielefeld Captain Mael Corboz. “I keep hearing jokes,” the 30-year-old told the WDR. “Whether my shoes are produced from plants? And a lot of other things.” The sayings that Corboz has to listen to aim at his work as the founder and managing director of a company that advises sports clubs on the topics of environmental protection and sustainability – the Arminia is also one of Corboz’s customers.
Managing Director parallel to the professional career? It is a very unusual way that Corboz follows. In its unusualness, however, it is also a way that fits the ambitious American. In 2016 Corboz came to Germany from the second division in the United States and has been working as a footballer late developer since then. To the captain’s office at the third division champion Arminia Bielefeldwhich he will lead to the field with the bandage on the arm at the DFB Cup final against VfB Stuttgart (Saturday, 8 p.m.) in Berlin.
Corboz: Bielefeld captain? That was “impossible”
“Being a captain here – four years ago it was impossible for me. I would have said: that can’t happen. How is that supposed to happen?” Said Corboz. Four and a half years ago, in January 2021, Corboz moved to SC Verl to the third division after not really drawing attention to himself at his stations in Duisburg, Wattenscheid and the Go Ahead Eagles (second Dutch league).
Class release celebration 2022 at SC Verl: coach Kniat (left) and captain Corboz (right)
In Verl, however, things went excellently for the son of French parents from the start. As early as the 2021/22 season, Corboz, now 26, took over the captain’s office at Verl, but it should be a difficult season. The Verler released the trainer in the relegation battle and won a certain Mitch Kniat in February 2022. Verl held the class through a draw on the last matchday, Kniat was later to be hired by Arminia Bielefeld due to good performances by his team.
Change from Verl to Bielefeld
Corboz followed his trainer on the Alm in January 2024. “I went as a captain of the SCV and I was aware that not everyone would understand that,” said Corboz about his change of club within the third division. The well -known team of coaches, the greater radiance of the Arminia, the importance of the club in the city – the midfielder decided after a careful consideration for the DSC: “You don’t know if this call is coming again. I did not want to miss this possibility.”
Strong and duble: Mael Corboz
One and a half years later, it can be said: Corboz does not regret the decision. “It is a dream that it works after 18 months,” says Corboz. “We went through a few lows. In this and last season. We experienced a lot.” And yet Corboz will be a second division player in the coming season, possibly decorated with the DFB Cup title.
Arminia bowled four Bundesliga clubs from the competition
Despite the victories against four Bundesliga clubs on the way to the final (Union Berlin, SC Freiburg, Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen), the Bielefeld of course go to the final game against the Bundesliga club from Stuttgart as an outsider. And yet: The Bielefelders won their games against their higher -class competition so convincingly and deserves that quite a few of the Arminia trust the big coup.
Believe in your own strength, which Corboz also has: “What makes me optimistic is that we are in a good mood. That we can appear confident. That we have a team that works well as a group.” Corboz has respect for Stuttgart, but on the pitch you will “do everything to annoy”. And then there is a coach Kniat, with whom Corboz has already experienced a lot that is sure to “do something special.”
CEO of a company – and now in the cup final
His company and the role as managing director are moving for Corboz in football-environment in the background. “I don’t leave the topic completely in the team. But I’m trying not to talk about it so much about it. We are here to play football,” said Corboz.
The Arminia still works with its versatile talented captain to become more sustainable. “I work closely with other players in the club to develop our sustainability identity,” says Corboz. Together with the club, he identifies potential for improvement – there is also a measure for the game on Saturday in Berlin: “We have now developed and released a ride portal. I am excited to see how this is accepted for the cup final.”
Sayings of the colleagues will probably be back on this. Corboz will be able to get over. The cup triumph waves, games in the 2nd Bundesliga – and further orders in terms of sustainability in football.
Our sources:
- WDR conversation with Mael Corboz
- Football data from transfermarkt.de
- Football data from Sportschau.de
